Research Questions:
1. What are the key demographic, lifestyle, environmental, and metabolic risk factors associated with respiratory diseases?
2. Which genetic loci are linked to respiratory disease susceptibility?
3. How do genetic and environmental factors interact to influence disease risk?
Objectives:
1. Utilize the UK Biobank dataset to systematically analyze risk factors for respiratory diseases, including COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, and lung cancer.
2. Identify genetic susceptibility loci through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and assess cumulative genetic risk using polygenic risk scores (PRS).
3. Investigate gene-environment interactions to understand how genetic predisposition modifies the effect of external risk factors.
Scientific Rationale:
Respiratory diseases pose a growing burden on healthcare systems, yet their risk factors and genetic underpinnings remain incompletely understood. While environmental exposures such as smoking and air pollution are well-established contributors, genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in disease susceptibility. However, the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors is not fully elucidated. By integrating comprehensive epidemiological and genomic data from the UK Biobank, this study aims to improve disease prediction, enable targeted prevention strategies, and advance precision medicine approaches. Findings will support public health interventions and inform personalized risk assessment for respiratory diseases.
